BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                             H.B. 591

                                                                                                                                         By: Escobar

                                                                                                                                    County Affairs

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

In certain counties where no incorporated city exists, there is no present authority for county government to take on many functions, such as zoning, that city governments usually handle. 

 

H.B. 591 would broaden requirements to allow the commissioner's court of a county located within 100 miles of an international boundary, with a population of more than 5,000, and no incorporated municipalities to create certain ordinances as if it were a municipality.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

H.B. 591 amends the Local Government Code to provide that county ordinance-making powers may be exercised by any county within 100 miles of an international boundary that also has a population of more than 5,000 and contains no incorporated municipalities.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.